Pet food M&A takes measured approach in 2025
Strategic acquisitions focused on geographic expansion and portfolio diversification characterized pet food M&A activity, with one European company accounting for nearly half the year’s transactions.
Lisa Cleaver
Pet food industry mergers and acquisitions activity in 2025 reflected a more measured, strategic approach compared to the 2021-2022 boom period, even as economic headwinds and tariff concerns tempered the market.
In late 2024, Cascadia Capital predicted the pet industry was set for a surge in M&A deals in 2025, thanks to better market conditions, more high-quality businesses for sale, and motivated buyers and sellers. By mid-year, the firm had recalibrated its prediction, noting its analysts were seeing a shift from aggressive dealmaking to more cautious, targeted business deals as macroeconomic headwinds weighed on the pet sector.
In 2024, Petfood Industry reported 26 M&As in the pet food space. In 2025, that number dropped slightly to 23, with one company — The Nutriment Company (TNC) — accounting for 10 of the year’s deals through its portfolio expansion and geographic growth strategy. Below is the pet food industry merger and acquisition activity from the past year as reported by Petfood Industry.
The Nutriment Company: 10 acquisitions in 2025
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, TNC supplies natural premium pet food across Europe through brands including Nutriment, DIBO, Barfgold, AniForte and Natural Instinct. The company offers raw pet food, snacks and supplements through online and specialist retail channels. The company is owned by Nordic private equity firm Axcel.
In 2025, TNC acquired 10 companies as part of its expansion strategy across Europe and into new pet food segments like cat food.
- Zoo Factory, a Polish distributor of premium pet treats and pet food, marking the group’s entry into Poland, acquired December 2025.
- Antos, a Dutch pet treats business, acquired December 2025.
- Easy-BARF, a French fresh pet food manufacturer, acquired October 2025.
- Purrform: A UK-based cat food supplier acquired July 2025.
- Graf Barf: A German private-label pet food business acquired June 2025.
- Bulmer Pet Foods: A UK-based company acquired in April 2025, known for its affordable raw pet food.
- BAF Petfood: A German raw pet food company acquired March 2025.
- Puromenu: A Spanish pet food manufacturer acquired February 2025, marking TNC’s entry into the Spanish market.
- The Dog’s Butcher: A UK-based raw dog food brand acquired January 2025.
- Your Pet Nutrition: A UK company in the veterinarian-developed pet supplement sector, acquired January 2025.
More 2025 pet food M&As
In January, AlphaPet Ventures, a digital brand platform for premium pet food in Europe, acquired JR Pet Products, a UK brand specializing in natural chews and treats for dogs. The acquisition helped expand AlphaPet’s presence in the UK and enhance its portfolio of high-quality pet food brands.
In February, Colgate-Palmolive acquired Care TopCo Pty Ltd, the owner of the Prime100 pet food brand, to expand its Hill’s Pet Nutrition division. The company said this strategic move gives Hill’s a foothold in the rapidly growing fresh pet food category in Australia.
Also in February, Scholtus Group, a pet nutrition company based in the Netherlands, expanded its global manufacturing capabilities through its acquisition of Big Creek Foods, a U.S. producer of premium pet treats. The acquisition integrated Big Creek Foods’ state-of-the-art facility in Gainesville, Florida, into Scholtus’ production network, enabling the combined company to offer a wide range of products including air-dried and semi-moist pet treat and food products.
In June, Partners Group, a global private markets firm, acquired MPM Products, a premium cat food manufacturer, from investment firm 3i. MPM Products, headquartered in the UK, operates premium wet cat food brands including Applaws, Reveal and Encore.
In July, VAFO Group, a European superpremium pet food producer, completed the acquisition of AZAN, one of Poland’s largest pet food distributors and a nearly 30-year business partner.
Also in July, WH Group, one of the world’s largest pork processors, acquired Poland‑based pet food company Pupil Foods. The deal was executed through Morliny Foods, WH Group’s European arm operating under its Polish subsidiary, Animex Foods.
Another July acquisition involved UK-based Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN) agreeing to acquire Sopral, a French premium dry pet food manufacturer.
Archway also acquired Bright Planet Pet, a company specializing in sustainable, vegan dog treats, in July.
In August, Firelight Capital Partners acquired Snif-Snax, a Miami-based wholesaler and retailer specializing in smoked Scottish salmon and chicken pet treats.
In September, Inverness Graham announced that its pet treat platform, Treat Planet, had acquired Bosco & Roxy’s, which makes premium baked dog treats.
In October, Eurazeo completed the sale of Ultra Premium Direct, France’s leading direct-to-consumer online pet food company, to Inspired Pet Nutrition (IPN).
In November, Snellman Group acquired UK-based raw dog food manufacturer Benyfit Natural from the Real Pet Food Company, marking the Finnish company’s entry into the British pet food market.
In December, Vet Custom Label acquired the Myristol brand of joint-support supplements for horses, dogs, cats and rabbits.
Fonte: petfoodindustry.com
